Perthshire North MSP, Mr John Swinney, has today welcomed proposals to double the Child Payment and extend support to further families.

The announcement, made by the First Minister, will see the payment increase from £10 to £20 per week should the SNP be re-elected.

Additionally, the First Minister confirmed that bridging payments totalling £520 per year (paid quarterly) will be made to eligible families with children aged 6-16 until the end of next year. At that point, the families will then be fully enrolled on the Child Payment system.

Currently, over 4,800 children are eligible for the Child Payment in Perth and Kinross. With the expansion to eligible families with children up to the age of 16, a further 170,000 children nationwide will now benefit from the payment.

Commenting, Mr Swinney said: 

“The Scottish Child Payment has been described by anti-poverty groups as a ‘game-changer’. From speaking to constituents across Perthshire, I know that this is a sentiment shared by those currently in receipt of the payment.
“The SNP’s commitment to not only extend the payment, but double its value, is precisely the sort of bold, progressive policy that has led to voters putting their trust in us for the past 14 years

“As a party, we are determined to tackle the moral stain of child poverty. Whilst we do not have access to all the necessary powers that independence would offer us, we will continue to use every means at our disposal to ensure that children in Perthshire and beyond have the best possible quality of life.”